2016 NFL Mock Draft: 1st-Round Predictions for Top Prospects

The time of year has arrived for the fans of NFL teams without realistic playoff hopes—or even those who feel their teams are a piece or two away from legitimate greatness—to look ahead to the 2016 draft.

According to the current standings and in line with Super Bowl 50 odds from Odds Shark, the Cleveland Browns are the owners of the No. 1 overall pick in this scenario.

Johnny Manziel was announced as Cleveland's starting quarterback for the rest of the 2015 campaign on Monday. If the Browns' draft position holds, it may mean the "Johnny Football" era is extremely short-lived, though the 22-year-old still has six games to prove he has what it takes to be the man under center.

Let's have a look at a complete mock of the opening round, with a focus on the top picks that would make the biggest headlines.

Pick No.	Team	Selection
1	Cleveland Browns	Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss
2	Detroit Lions	Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss
3	San Diego Chargers	Jalen Ramsey, DB, Florida State
4	San Francisco 49ers	Jared Goff, QB, California
5	Baltimore Ravens	Vernon Hargreaves III, CB, Florida
6	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State
7	Jacksonville Jaguars	Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson
8	Chicago Bears	Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame
9	Tennessee Titans	Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss
10	Washington Redskins	Kenny Clark, DL, UCLA
11	Miami Dolphins	Jaylon Smith, OLB, Notre Dame
12	Kansas City Chiefs	DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon
13	Houston Texans	Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis
14	Buffalo Bills	Leonard Floyd, OLB, Georgia
15	New Orleans Saints	Myles Jack, ILB, UCLA
16	Oakland Raiders	Tre'Davious White, CB, LSU
17	Dallas Cowboys	Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State
18	New York Jets	Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor
19	St. Louis Rams	Connor Cook, QB, Michigan State
20	Atlanta Falcons	Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio State
21	Philadelphia Eagles	Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State
22	Indianapolis Colts	Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State
23	Pittsburgh Steelers	Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson
24	Minnesota Vikings	Derrick Henry, RB, Alabama
25	New York Giants	Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama
26	Seattle Seahawks	Josh Doctson, WR, TCU
27	Denver Broncos	Germain Ifedi, OT, Texas A&M
28	Cincinnati Bengals	Darron Lee, OLB, Ohio State
29	Carolina Panthers	Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame
30	Arizona Cardinals	Adolphus Washington, DT, Ohio State
31	Green Bay Packers	A'Shawn Robinson, DL, Alabama
32	New England Patriots	N/A (Forfeited pick)

Analyzing Marquee Top Picks

1. Cleveland Browns: Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss

Rogelio V. Solis/Associated Press

The Browns need to cease the madness at once. General manager Ray Farmer has refused to surround his hopeful QB of the future in Manziel with any competent weapons. Cleveland's passing offense has succeeded in spite of a thin receiving corps in 2015.

Treadwell presents a legitimate No. 1 target on the outside who's overcome a broken leg and dislocated ankle suffered in November 2014 to have a monster junior year for the Rebels. He has already amassed 1,002 yards receiving while facing mostly SEC competition.

Especially given Farmer's unconventional take on receivers in this pass-happy day and age of the NFL, this mock pick presumes the latest Browns draft blunderer won't be calling the shots in the 2016 draft. At least it will position Farmer's guy Manziel for some success entering his third year as a pro.

Thanks to the improved quarterback room in Cleveland this year, speedy wideout Travis Benjamin has begun to realize his potential, while tight end Gary Barnidge has emerged as a breakout star. Benjamin is a free agent but has expressed his desire to return.

"If the Browns offer me a contract right now that's legitimate, I'll sign right now. I would never leave the Browns," said Benjamin, per the Akron Beacon Journal's Nate Ulrich.

Oh, and Josh Gordon will also have the opportunity to return in 2016 after serving a one-year suspension. The Treadwell pick will either guard against the unlikely possibility Gordon isn't reinstated or provide Manziel with two big-bodied targets—a refreshing change for a diminutive batch of receivers.

The running game and defense have actually been most to blame for Cleveland's woes this season. With Duke Johnson entering his second year and the ability to upgrade backfield talent without too big an investment, the Browns should be fine in that area.

As for the defense, most of the unit's problems take root in chaotic schematics and a lack of gap integrity. If the veteran-laden unit can get on the same page, actually pay Tashaun Gipson before he hits free agency and get Joe Haden playing to his typical standard in 2016, that side of the ball will improve by default.

No. 1 overall may seem too rich for a receiver. In this particular instance, it's justifiable.

3. San Diego Chargers: Jalen Ramsey, DB, Florida State

Charles Krupa/Associated Press

After Detroit opts to fill the gaping void at defensive tackle left by Ndamukong Suh with Treadwell's teammate Robert Nkemdiche, San Diego gladly pounces on the chance to take Ramsey.

The Seminoles star makes sense on a number of levels. Ramsey is widely considered one of the better defensive back prospects in recent memory. He the versatility to excel at both cornerback and free safety thanks to tremendous coverage skills and a high football IQ—and has even thrived as a linebacker.

San Diego has numerous free agents to be concerned about this offseason, notably first-team All-Pro FS Eric Weddle. The front office has refused to extend Weddle beyond this year, leading to a brief holdout that will force the Chargers to franchise-tag him or lose him in free agency.

Part of the pitch to keep Weddle may involve upgrading the talent surrounding him on defense. A secondary featuring Ramsey, Weddle, Jason Verrett and Brandon Flowers looks mighty strong on paper.

Since Ramsey can function in the box, he may take on a hybrid linebacker role in certain situations to add a new dimension to the defense.

The Chargers must improve versus the run and would lament missing out on Nkemdiche should the Lions go that route, presuming they're ahead of San Diego in the final draft order. One possible strategy to combat that scenario could come in the form of an all-out push for New York Jets star Muhammad Wilkerson in free agency to bolster the trenches.

Franchise QB Philip Rivers badly needs help on the offensive line, but the Chargers can address that area on the open market as well as in the second round if the right fit presents itself. Ramsey is an instant starter who could play the nickel corner or outside just as Verrett can.

4. San Francisco 49ers: Jared Goff, QB, California

Barring a Blaine Gabbert career resurrection the likes of which may be unprecedented, it's a rather safe bet San Francisco is looking to move on from him and Colin Kaepernick.

Goff seems like a logical fit and won't have far to travel from Berkeley to don a 49ers uniform. The junior signal-caller threw six touchdown passes in his last outing against Oregon State and has the type of size and football acumen to be the new face of an NFL franchise.

Although he doesn't have elite arm talent and has a rather slender frame, Goff does have enough zip on the ball to make all the requisite throws in the pros. He's also mobile enough to extend plays and has proven he can hang in the pocket to take punishment.

Some may view Memphis' Paxton Lynch as the superior prospect by the time the draft rolls around or may even view him as the best QB already. Frankly, the two are similar in that they have prototypical size, are in their third year as starters and have rescued two programs from relative oblivion.

Bleacher Report's Brent Sobleski points out a mechanical issue that may hinder Lynch's ability to get the most out of his enviable physical tools:

The only real reason Goff is ahead at this juncture is the superior competition he faces. That could well change if and when Lynch plays a higher-quality opponent in a big bowl game.

Similar to how some viewed Jameis Winston's increased interception total at Florida State last year, Goff may be getting knocked for throwing 13 interceptions already this season after throwing seven for the 2014 campaign. It ultimately shouldn't prevent him from getting the nod over Lynch as the first QB off the board.